Since its launch in 2001, the Clean Water Project for Brabant can rightly be called a long-term project. The goal has always been to use fewer pesticides, and to do so smarter.

Risk of leaching and runoff

Pesticides protect against weeds, pests, and diseases. When sprayed, they not only land on the crop but also on the soil. When it rains, there is a risk that some of the substances will leach into the groundwater or runoff into nearby surface water. In addition to the consequences for groundwater and drinking water, cleaning up is difficult and expensive.

Agricultural entrepreneurs who want to take action in their operations and are looking for alternatives are supported through the Clean Water Project for Brabant. The province collaborates in the project with advisory agencies CLM and Delphy. “We provide individual guidance to 110 major players, with significant agricultural land,” says Alice Blok, researcher/advisor at CLM. “The advice and tips that result from this are shared with 500 farmers through newsletters.”

Practical trials and demonstration days

Within the project, Delphy, together with growers and on their fields, conducts practical trials such as mechanical weed control. This helps discover what works per crop, year, and machine. There are hoes and weeding machines with cameras that recognize the crop and hoe around it. Or they operate on GPS, have a camera, and know exactly where the plants are. And what about robotics? Where, for example, weeds are removed using lasers or electrocution. The results are shared with colleagues during demonstration days and field visits.

Read more about the Clean Water Project for Brabant (links to another website)